Jamal Crawford Thinks He Earned Kobe Bryant’s Respect During His 20K Point Game In 2007
It has been fourteen years since Kobe Bryant achieved the career milestone of scoring 20,000th point against the New York Knicks. Bryant would achieve the feat on a three-point against Jamal Crawford. He would finish the game with 39 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.
The Lakers would beat the Knicks 95-90 on the road at Madison Square Garden. Earlier this week, Jamal Crawford was on Twitter Spaces, answering questions when he was asked about his favorite Kobe Bryant moment in the NBA.
“We played in The Garden in the daytime. It was a Sunday, and he was putting on a show. It was the game where he became the youngest player to score 20k points, and we were down 25 at the half or something like that. And we came all the way back and got cut the lead to one. I scored 30 in the second half, and I remember he walked over to me because he wasn’t guarding me at first. He said, boy, you hot as a pistol, and I was like, oh man. We never had any real dialogue before, and our relationship really took off from there. That was the first time when we really had a conversation other than hi and bye. Where he really acknowledged me, and I was like, aw damn, I got Kobe’s respect.
Jamal Crawford finished that December 23, 2007 game with 31 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
